Parents of late Major Mohit Sharma, an Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, have moved the Delhi High Court, seeking an urgent stay on the release of Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar, reported Bar and Bench. The film directed by Aditya Dhar is slated to release on December 5.
The petitioners have also requested the Delhi HC to arrange film’s private screening for Major Sharma’s family before its release.
Film made without our consent: Major Sharma’s parents
In the petition, the parents of Major Sharma have mentioned that the film “appears to be directly inspired” by the life, persona, undercover operations and martyrdom of their son, and that it was made without their or the Indian Army’s consent.
The petition notes that the film’s trailer, character design, military settings and narrative “unmistakably mirrors” aspects of Major Sharma’s real-life operations and military service, including covert counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir.
The parents of Major Sharma said in the petition that although Dhurandhar has been connected to Major Sharma’s life in media reports and online discussions, the filmmakers have neither acknowledged this nor consulted them.
‘A martyr’s life cannot be reconstructed without due permission’
Parents in the petition also stated that a martyr is not a commercial commodity and that his life cannot be reconstructed for profit without truth, dignity and due permission.
They said that the portrayal violates a martyr’s posthumous personality rights under Article 21 of the Constitution and that it also violates their right to privacy and dignity as well.
The petitioner also raised concerns about national security and contended that the film seems to depict delicate military tactics, infiltration strategies, and operational procedures without clarifying that the makers obtained permission or screened the script from the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), the body in charge of governing the manner in which the Indian Army is portrayed in the media.
Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification, the ADGPI, the film’s director and co-producer Aditya Dhar, and producer Jio Studios have been named in the petition as respondents.
Dhurandhar not based on Major Mohit Sharma’s life: Aditya Dhar
As soon as Dhurandhar trailer dropped a few days back, social media was abuzz Ranveer’s character could be inspired by Major Mohit Sharma. However director Aditya Dhar refuted the rumour.
When Madhur Sharma, Major Mohit Sharma’s brother tagged Dhar and asked if it’s true, Dhar said: “Hi, sir – our film Dhurandhar is not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM. This is an official clarification.”